IETM Carvan Sofia

“Sofia? Isn’t that in Bucharest? A square or something? – No man, Sofia is THE capital of Bucharest.” (Geographical dispute at Stockholm Airport, on the way back from IETM meeting in Stockholm last spring)

The artistic scene in Sofia is very much alive but not so well known by IETM members. This IETM Caravan will take you to Bulgaria, during a very important time for it’s local independent artists. A time that will define the future of the independent scene in Bulgaria.

From 17 to 20 November 2011, you will discover more than 20 different artists and cultural operators, in various places in Sofia, which has not been recognised as an artistic hub yet. But this is about to change and you will have the opportunity to meet the people who are working on it now. IETM member ACT Association is the local partner in organising this meeting with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Sofia Municipality. During this meeting you will enjoy various performances, meet new people, discover new spaces and possibilites for new collaborations.

Sofia is bidding to be the European Cultural Capital in 2019 and in the next years many new initiatives and constructions are yet to come.

A group of managers and cultural operators from different European countries will pay a visit to get themselves familiar with the independent theatre stage and have talks and meetings with representatives of cultural institutions and organizations that are key for the context. The meeting’s main focus is to make them familiar with the specifics, working conditions and artistic diversity of independent stage in the field of performing arts in the country.

In partnership with the International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts IETM, Brussels (www.ietm.org)

International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM) is a membership organisation which exists to promote quality, development and contexts of contemporary performing arts in a global environment by initiating and facilitating professional networking and communication in professional networks, dynamic exchange of information, know-how transfer and presentations of examples of good practice. IETM consists of over 550 subscribing professional performing arts organisations from more than 50 different countries. They are engaged in innovative, contemporary performance work and are committed to cross-border artistic exchange and collaboration.

Visit by a group of US Managers

15-21 November (Tuesday – Monday)

A visit by a delegation of US cultural operators and practitioners in the field of performing arts, with special interest in current development in the field of independent theatre stage in the country.